Conflict Resolution

Against the background of this analysis of the American Bill of Rights and the evolving tactics of its opponents the following points may be taken into account for defence of the second amendment in the present period. As has been demonstrated, the polarized nature of conservative and radical perspectives that has accompanied the development of representative democracy since Jefferson’s death may be attributed chiefly to the failure of the left to properly assess and take adequate account of the philosophical foundation and strategic orientation of American revolutionary radicalism. Even if the price of a commodity can be determined by its use value and its labour value at one and the same time – that A can be A and not A at the same time - this much vaunted claim of dialectics should never have prevented the left from attaining full mastery of the practical orientation and aspirations of Jeffersonian theory. Had this course been maintained forms of political participation and taxation policy could have been better developed to construct a more advanced and stable constitutional foundation through which systemic change could take place better able to meet radical aspirations while at the same time preserving democratic choice.

It may be possible to promote a less polarized political order to help better constrain factional conflict by more fully implementing Jefferson’s principle that the earth belongs to the living and by developing further jury forms of non partisan political participation within the judicial, legislative and executive departments by means of sortition in electoral and appointment procedures. A first step to realizing these aims can be public opinion research to demonstrate and verify by empirical means the self evident truths of common sense in their relation to constitutional design. Thereafter pilot projects to test out and implement reforms at local, regional and departmental levels can be launched as preliminary steps to their implementation by state and federal authorities.

Progress in implementing such reforms can enhance mutual understanding and cooperation between radicalism and conservatism, which in turn can broaden political support for the Bill of Rights. Such cooperation could also have major implications on a global scale. In particular, poorer countries could benefit greatly from it since it would reduce the need for armaments at great power levels and release such funds for possible use in international aid and development. Great power cooperation in conflict resolution could also be of immense benefit to the developing world, since many of these conflicts are proxy in nature.

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